Homeless News

VOTERS APPROVE PROPs 1 and 2 INVESTMENTS IN AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR VETERANS, WORKING FAMILIES, PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES AND MANY MORE CALIFORNIANS.

The Kennedy Commission wants to thank all of you for supporting California's tremendous investment in affordable housing and for helping us pass Props 1 and 2, a combined $6 BILLION in new funding for the development and preservation of affordable and supportive homes.

"We are excited that Californians are investing in solutions that will increase affordable housing options in our communities. For us in Orange County, this presents an opportunity to help us leverage resources to address our affordable housing and homelessness crisis," said Cesar Covarrubias, Executive Director of the Kennedy Commission.

Prop 1 will dedicate funding to build and preserve housing, including supportive housing, and provide homeowner assistance through a variety of proven and effective programs, including:

The state is expected to issue its first notices of funding availability in early 2019.

Prop 2 is equally important, providing supportive homes for our fellow Californians living with a mental illness struggling to survive on the streets or in shelters without the stability and access to services they need. With $2 billion, Prop 2 will build an additional 20,000 supportive rental homes that provide mental health services to help end homelessness for thousands of people. Homelessness advocates, doctors, mental health professionals, emergency responders, and law enforcement all agree – supportive housing works and we need it if we are to end chronic homelessness in California.

Orange County will continue using the two National Guard armories as temporary homeless shelters during the night for another 90 days, a move deemed necessary to meet a federal judge’s wishes to shelter the people displaced from longtime encampments at the Santa Ana River and Santa Ana’s Civic Center.

The California Military Department gave its approval earlier this week to the rare request.

The winter shelter programs at both the Santa Ana and Fullerton armories were scheduled to end Sunday, April 15 with the arrival of warmer weather, as typically happens every year at all 10 armories used as homeless shelters statewide. But county officials asked for another 90 days to continue operating the facilities as a place for homeless people to sleep at night.

The Orange County Armory Emergency Shelter will be hosted at an alternate location for the Dark Nights occurring from February 7th - 11th.

For the duration of these Dark Nights, Fullerton Clients will be bussed to an alternate site located at First Lutheran Church of Fullerton, 215 N Lemon St. Fullerton, CA 92832.

The Armory Emergency Shelter Program serves adult clients over the age of 18 ONLY. For more info, click HERE.

DARK NIGHT SCHEDULEOn Wednesday through Sunday, buses will pick up at regular locations and the Fullerton Armory beginning at 6:00 pm.Doors at the alternate location will open at 7:00 pmTimes and Locations may be subject to change at a moment’s notice.Fullerton Pick-Up Locations:Pick-Up #1The 200 block of E. Santa Fe Ave. (southside of the street between S. Pomona Ave and N. Lemon St.)Pick Up #2Fullerton National Guard Armory, 400 S Brookhurst St. (near the corner of Brookhurst and Valencia)

The Orange County Armory Emergency Shelter will be hosted at an alternate location for the Dark Nights occurring from Wednesday, April 11th - Sunday, April 15th.

For the duration of these Dark Nights, Santa Ana and Fullerton clients will be bused to an alternate site located at First Evangelical Free Church of Fullerton (aka: EvFree Church).Located at 2801 Brea Blvd, Fullerton, CA 92835 - (near Bastanchury and Brea, in the Gym).

The Armory Emergency Shelter Program serves adult clients over the age of 18 ONLY. For more info, click HERE.

DARK NIGHT SCHEDULEWednesday through Sunday, buses will pick up at regular locations and the Santa Ana and Fullerton Armories beginning at 6:00 pm.Doors at the alternate location will open at 7:00 pm.

The Orange County Armory Emergency Shelter will be hosted at an alternate location for the Dark Nights occurring from Friday, March 2nd - Sunday, March 4th.

For the duration of these Dark Nights, Santa Ana and Fullerton clients will be bused to an alternate site located at First Evangelical Free Church of Fullerton (aka: EvFree Church).Located at 2801 Brea Blvd, Fullerton, CA 92835 - (near Bastanchury and Brea, in the Gym)

The Armory Emergency Shelter Program serves adult clients over the age of 18 ONLY. For more info, click HERE.

DARK NIGHT SCHEDULEFriday through Sunday, buses will pick up at regular locations and the Santa Ana and Fullerton Armories beginning at 6:00 pm.Doors at the alternate location will open at 7:00 pm.

The Orange County Health Care Agency continues to receive large numbers of reports of influenza, including severe cases (less than 65 years of age who were hospitalized in intensive care or who died), and outbreaks. Circulating viruses are mainly influenza A H3N2 which has been associated with increased hospitalizations and lower vaccine effectiveness in past seasons. CDC recommends:

Get vaccinated: It’s not too late to get vaccinated. Even in years with lower vaccine effectiveness (e.g., 48% in 2015-16), influenza vaccine prevented an estimated 5 million illnesses, 2.5 million medical visits, and 71,000 hospitalizations due to flu. For more info on where to get vaccinated, see http://www.ochealthinfo.com/phs/about/family/flu.

Stop germs: Use everyday preventive actions to avoid getting sick with flu and/or passing it to others. People with flu symptoms should stay at home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone without the use of fever-reducing medicine. Covering your cough, handwashing and routine cleaning and disinfecting of frequently touched surfaces can help decrease the spread of illness. For more information, see www.cdc.gov/flu/pdf/freeresources/general/take3-Poster.pdf. Guidance for schools and child cares is available here: www.cdc.gov/flu/school/index.htm.

Antiviral drugs: Antiviral drugs can shorten illness with influenza, make it milder, and prevent complications. People with influenza symptoms who are in the hospital, have severe progressive illness, or who are at increased risk for complications of influenza due to age or underlying medical conditions may benefit from antiviral drugs. Antivirals should be started as soon as possible in these groups and should NOT be delayed waiting for test results. Per the California Department of Public Health, there is currently NO state or national shortage of antivirals. Pharmacies can contact their wholesalers directly to obtain medications if needed.

Hepatitis A Still in the News

The hepatitis A outbreaks in San Diego and Los Angeles seem to be winding down. There is no outbreak in Orange County and no new cases. HCA continues to outreach to at-risk persons, including promoting and providing hepatitis A vaccinations. See: www.ochealthinfo.com/OCHepA.

Norovirus is not just on cruise ships!

Outbreaks of norovirus plague schools, long term care facilities, and other group settings every year. Norovirus is also one of the most common causes of foodborne illness. This highly contagious virus causes vomiting and diarrhea and needs special attention to handwashing, hygiene, and cleaning/disinfection. For more information, see: www.cdc.gov/norovirus/preventing-infection.html.